Date: September 14, 2009
Author: PA Sport

Tiger cruises to BMW win

Tiger Woods blew away the field in a comfortable eight-shot victory at the BMW Championship in Illinois to move to the top of the FedEx Cup standings as Australian rookie Marc Leishman catapulted his way into the top 30. The world No.1&aposs victory at Cog Hill was the 71st of his illustrious career and came as no surprise after his sublime course-record 62 in the third round. Coming into Sunday with a near unassailable seven-shot lead, Woods extended it by one more to close to within two career wins of the legendary Jack Nicklaus in second place on the all-time list. The latest victory – Woods&apos sixth this season – came courtesy of a round of 68 on Sunday to finish 19-under-par overall, well clear of compatriot Jim Furyk and Leishman. Furyk&aposs five-under round of 66 saw him make a late charge up the leaderboard though there was never any real chance of him overhauling Woods. Leishman hit a two-under 69 on Sunday with two birdies and no bogeys. “It was a good week. I hit the ball well, but basically felt like I hit it the same as I have been,” Woods said. “The only difference is I made a few more putts this week and got some momentum. As we all know, you have to make putts to win championships. This week I certainly made my share.” Woods insisted his recent putting problems did not force him to adjust anything. “Not a thing,” he said. “I didn&apost change anything, it&aposs just one of those things where I was hitting a lot of lips, they just weren&apost going in.” “That&aposs the way it goes. You&aposre not going to make every putt.” “As long as the ball starts off on-line and I&aposve got my pace right, that&aposs the way it goes.” “If you read the putts better, eventually they&aposll start going in. It&aposs just a matter of time. I was patient, and here we are.” Leishman, who only qualified for the BMW Championship by making an eagle on his last hole a week ago, earned his first trip to The Tour Championship. Compatriot John Senden jumped into 30th spot by half a point courtesy of a triple-bogey from Brandt Snedeker on the last hole. “I can&apost believe I did this,” Snedeker said. “I just made a mess of it.”